Summertime learning

The library is a wonderful thing. I'm sure thatmost both of my readers would agree to that. What I think is over-the top wonderful is that our public library system has a new program that encourages library card holders to learn a language
See a brand-name highly esteemed company that allows you to learn at your pace and best of all it is FREE costs nothing, nada, is complimentary. All you need is a library card. Whee!
Now the license only allows the library to choose 5 languages to be taught, and one of them is English(U.S.) (we have a large English as a second language population around here), but hey it will take me a while to get through the other 4. Ok, I can get through German pretty quickly if I can recall what I learned 15-20 years ago. But Italian and Spanish and French will probably take me a little while.
My father-in-law has planned a cruise that goes from Venice to Rome (or is it Rome to Venice?) so I am brushing up on my Italian. I can already let someone know if there is a boy under a ball (Un bambino sotto una palla). I have also looked at some of the Spanish lessons--I was curious how similar they are (eh, a little, but I think if I tried to learn both simultaneously I would get confused).
But I think that I need to not ignore my other hobbies, so I will try to go play in the clay!

Ciao!

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The Best Things in Life are Free

Free or Really Cheap Indulgences in Reading, PA. Now with Bonus Links!

The meme that wasn’t really a meme, but seemed like a good idea from Sarah Louise

1. The GoggleWorks-FREE Admission daily www.goggleworks.org visit this amazing arts center with over 30 artists studios 4 galleries & a 131 seat movie theatre. Ok, movies are $5.50 -$7.50 to see a neat art-house film. Still a bargin! Visit on Second Sunday (the , duh, second Sunday of each month) and there are all sorts of hands on activities, demonstrations including wood turning & hot glass and most of the artists are in their studios.

"The GoggleWorks Center for the Arts is a community arts and cultural resource center located in downtown Reading, Pennsylvania. It is one of the largest, most comprehensive interactive community arts centers in the country. The GoggleWorks offers an exceptional opportunity for visitors to experience and learn about the arts in a working studio environment."

2. Berks County Wine Trail-FREE http://www.berkscountywinetrail.com/index.htm visit a winery, most have free tastings. It is a nice trip (ok, I'm not including gas in this) Admittedly, price goes up if you decide to buy some of the wine. yum!

3. Concerts at the Bandshell-FREE http://www.berksarts.org/bandshell/index.htm the music is always free, bring a blanket or a lawn chair and sit back & relax! You can buy food or bring food if you want to spend an extra couple bucks.

4. Picnic at Grings Mill-Almost nothing if you you’re your own food. Pack your own lunch or stop at nearby Panera if you are feeling indulgent. Really broke? Just go down to the Mill & take a walk http://www.co.berks.pa.us/parks/cwp/view.asp?a=1229&q=447506

5. Movies in Centre Park-FREE. Summer time movies after sunset . Snacks are cheap too! http://centrepark.homestead.com/Movies.html

6. Reading Fairgrounds Farmers Market. Free to get in & spend what ever you want on the rest of the stuff. It's neat to walk around & check out the various stands. Some of them have been around for years & years. Hungry? grab lunch at Jambalaya J's Dixie Kitchen. YUM!!

7. Reading Phillies Game $7 - $10 www.readingphillies.com minor league ball, major league fun! Visit The Girl in Funland. She is usually working the whiffle ball or mini-golf. Watch Sumo wrestling or see produce race around the field between innings.

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